Trio of athletes sign to play college sports

A trio of Basehor-Linwood High School athletes have signed to play sports in college.

Maggie Schroeder and Chelsea Patton signed to play softball at different schools. Cassie Lombardino will play basketball at Washburn.

Lombardino hosted a signing with D-II powerhouse Washburn Tuesday in the BLHS foyer. Lombardino did the actual signing last week during the early signing period.

"What an honor for her and this program," coach Noah Simpson said.

Players had their friends, family and coaches around them.

"It is a relief to get it done with now," Patton said. "I can relax and focus on school and sports the rest of my senior year."

Patton signed a letter of intent to play softball at Central Missouri State University. She will be a utility player for the team and can play either infield or outfield.

"I had gone on a couple of college visits and Central was the one that felt like home, it is just an hour and a half away, I want to major in education and I want to coach, that school also has a good major and everything just fit," Patton said.

She will join Krista Holland who plays softball at the school.

Patton also plays on the Kansas City Whitesox, which are a competitive traveling team. They have helped her develop the skills necessary to play in college. She also said that her high school coaches, parents and family have played a big role in her career by supporting her throughout the year.

Schroeder signed to play softball at the University of Missouri-Rolla and expects to play third base for Rolla. Schroeder was recruited by a couple other schools, but said she chose Rolla because she wants to major in Civil Engineering and the school has a good program.